Celebrating Child and Adult Care Food Program Week

March 9, 2018 – The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) recognizes March 11 through March 17 as CACFP Week. The federally funded program provides meal reimbursements to child and adult care centers, child care homes, afterschool programs and emergency shelters for serving nutritious snacks and meals.

“CACFP strengthens families in South Carolina by increasing their access to healthy food,” said Mary Abney-Young, program manager with the Division of Early Care and Education.

When a newly approved provider received the first reimbursement for her child care center, “she said she felt like Oprah.”

“[The newly approved provider said] she can tell the kids ‘you get more pineapple. You get another apple. You can have a second serving of veggies if you’re still hungry,’” said Marilyn Brooks, a program coordinator with Division of Early Care and Education. “[The
provider] said what a blessing this program was and how grateful they are they can improve their menus to provide the children with more and better foods.”

Any licensed child or adult care center can apply to participate in the program. The application must demonstrate the entity meets eligibility requirements and is capable of properly operating the program. Employees must also attend training on program requirements.

SC DSS has administered the program since 1985. More than 1,300 child and adult care programs in South Carolina participate in CACFP receiving about 19 million healthy meals annually.

To learn more about CACFP, please visit http://bit.ly/2mFE9kN.